all i know is that is how i have added buffer to my tanks for over 10 years and my tanks have been great in so far as ca and alk levels. i add the weekly dose of alk buffer to the top off water, then the calcium directly to the tank.(at different times, of coarse, and i follow the directions for amounts used) there has never been any issues with funky ca or alk levels or stability with the way i do things. growth levels, coloration, polyp extention all que me in to whats going on...
and it will probably distress you guys further to learn that usually i dont even test for ca or alk on a regular basis, mabye once or twice a season just to make sure everything is still good. and it usually is spot on. granted at this stage of the game, i could probably dose with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back and get it right.
testing for mag, phos, 'trates is something that happens with much more frequency for me, as those items are more difficult to determine with test results unseen. ca, alk, ph, i can determine if there is a deficency just by looking at my corals...mabye im a reef psychic! lol
there is more than one way to do things that works, and what works for one, might not work for another, so im not saying to do what i do...:idea:
